How to Cure Fresh Cut Slabs of Wood

Cut the wood to length with a hand saw or a chainsaw. Determine the appropriate length for your firewood--usually about three inches shorter than the width of your firebox. When in doubt, cut the wood a little too short rather than a little too long. Shorter pieces dry more quickly and are easier to handle.

Split the wood. Use an axe or hatchet to split small pieces and a wedge and mallet to split large ones. Stand the slab of wood on end on a stump or piece of hard ground; then position yourself slightly uphill. Identify existing cracks in the wood, and aim the axe or maul toward these. Strike near the edge of the slab, not the center. A piece of wood should split off from the main slab. Create a range of split sizes for optimal burning.

Pile wood for seasoning. Place firewood in a single row, so that it's exposed to wind and sun. Avoid shady or moist areas. You may wish to elevate the pile so that air can circulate beneath it. Stack wood in alternating directions to encourage air flow. Allow the wood to dry for at least six months, longer in wet climates. If you have a wood moisture meter, stick the probe into a log to determine whether the wood is properly seasoned. Ideal moisture levels for firewood are between 15 and 20 percent.

Cover your wood. Use a weighted tarp to keep rain off your wood and speed drying. This step is not required, but may make the drying process a little more efficient. Remember that tarps must be weighted or tied down to prevent them from blowing off.

Store the cured wood. Once the wood has reached the correct moisture level, place it in a dry place, such as a wood shed. Do not store the wood if it has been recently soaked by rain--wait a few days. Stack the wood in the shed to allow air circulation. Burn it as needed.